PARENTING STYLE AS PREDICTS OF JUVENILE DELINQUENCIES AMONGST JUPEB STUDENTS IN THE UNIVERSITY OF BENIN

ABSTRACT

This study was designed to investigate parenting style as predicts of juvenile delinquencies amongst JUPEB students in the University of Benin. Four (4) research questions were formulated to guide the study. The population of this study comprised of the one thousand two hundred and eighty-seven (1,287) Joint Universities Preliminary Examination Board (JUPEB) in the University of Benin, Benin City, Edo state. The sample of this study consists of Two hundred (200) University of Benin, JUPEB students randomly selected from the population of the study. The research instrument for the study was a Questionnaire titled: Parenting Style as Predictors of Juvenile Delinquencies Among Students Questionnaire" (PSPJDASQ). A reliability score of .814 indicated that the instrument was reliable. The instrument which was distributed to the respondents and collected immediately after completion from respondents. Findings revealed that the authoritarian parenting style is predominantly utilized in raising students, and it exerts influence on juvenile delinquency rates. Moreover, there is a notable correlation between parenting styles and juvenile delinquency, with sex being a significant factor in this relationship, while age does not appear to significantly affect the association between parenting styles and delinquency. It was recommended that To address juvenile delinquency, parents should be encouraged to adopt authoritative or supportive parenting styles that promote autonomy and open communication while setting clear boundaries. Additionally, interventions tailored to address gender-specific influences on parenting styles and their impact on delinquent behavior may be beneficial in reducing juvenile delinquency rates.